Moonspear one night the clock struck twelve

The sound of padding paws stopped suddenly, and Ciri's anxiety heightened. Obsidian lobes splayed backwad and her body sagged. She lowered herself in a sudden desire to be hidden, as smoothly and as quietly as she could, and her vivid eyes scanned the darkness before her for any suggestion that the stranger might advance on her.

He did not, thankfully, and the rise of his voice eased the blackbird's stress a little. Ciri, feeling a little giddy at having been mistaken for someone else, considered making attempt at slipping away unheard. Always curious, however, the young Ostrega remained rooted for a time while she tried to muster the courage to step forward.

She exhaled the breath she'd been holding and, with her dark tail still tucked at her rear, Ciri crept nervously forward. "I'm not Mira," she managed in a hoarse whisper, vibrant gaze still searching, "but... I won't tell anybody anything, I swear."